The Rickard’s Family – Skeletons in the Closet

My first contact with Rickard’s was Rickard’s Red, in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s.  Originally brewed by Capilano Brewery in British Columbia, the rights were bought out by Molson Breweries soon after. The colour is ruby-red and crystal clear, with a light beige foam.  The nose is floral, leather and red berries and the mouth is caramel-coffee, raspberry and subtle alcohol (5.2% alc.vol.).

Rickard’s Original White is actually a beer created by Keith Villain 1995 at Coorsfield (Sandlot Brewery) called “Blue Moon”.  The body is hazy, orange-gold, and cloudy, with a fine white bubbly head.  The nose is spicy orange and sweet cereal, with the taste encompassing wheat, mandarin-clementines, coriander, with hints of green vegetables – celery, broccoli, and snow peas  (5.4% alcohol).

Rickard’s Dark made its debut at the Mondial de la Bière a few years ago, before being bottled for distribution a few months later.  Obviously, dark brown-red (auburn), with brown-beige foam.  The nose is sweet plums, prunes, and sugar taffy, with tastes of black currant and maple syrup, it is described as Porter (4.8% alcohol).

Rickard’s Blonde is their second with the same name.  This version is bright, gold, and transparent, with an egg-white head.  The nose is honey-banana, and yeast, with tastes of apricot, mild hops, and good maltiness, and well rounded bitterness in the finish (5% alcohol).

We will also note that there were also Rickard’s Honey Brown and Richard’s Gold, both of which have come and gone.

The Red, Original White, Dark, and Blonde are available in “Taster’s” packs,  4 – 473ml cans, 12 – 12oz bottles;, and 24-12oz bottles (as low as $6.99,$11.99, and $23.99 respectfully, and also separately in 6 packs and other formats).

Drink quality, not quantity

The Bugler (Beer Ambassador)

 

 

 

Québec Beer Day To Feature Microbreweries

Next Saturday (August 14th, 2010) is the date for the second annual Québec Beer Day. Celebrations, featuring our favourite local brews, will be taking place throughout the province. In Montreal, many specialty outlets (dépanneurs and microbrewery pubs), will be taking part in the festivities-most notably Atwater Market’s Fromagerie, Paluso’s Bonisoir on Rachel, and novelties will be involved at several locations. Bière et Plaisirs newspaper is a good place to check out further information, even on the internet.

In keeping with the theme of Quebec micros, we will be reviewing two beers, one brand new offering from Trois Mousquétaires in Brossard, Oktoberfest 2010, and a stalwart of the local beer scene, Cheval Blanc.

The Oktoberfest des Québecois is about to celebrate its fifth year of existence, with each year having had a new, specially prepared beer. This year’s festival will take place from September 10th to 12th, in Mascouche. The Oktoberfest Lager, in the signature series from Trois Mousquétaires is a non-filtered rousse (red), featuring “a harmonious blend of malts from Québec and hops from Germany’s best regions that offers flavours of caramel, fresh cereals, and delicate floral hop bitterness.” Its colour is clear red amber and the foam is creamy beige. Somewhat light in alcohol percentage (4.1%) and in 750 ml bottles, it should be priced between $4.99 and $5.99. It doesn’t disappoint. The taste buds or nasal passages, pairing well with the sausages, sauerkraut, & cheeses that Oktoberfest tend to offer.

In 1987, the Cheval Blanc Brew Pub was the first in Montreal to obtain a permit to brew on its premises. Rumour has it that the creators of the Cheval Blanc idea were being facetious in the name, trying to differentiate from the black horse ale, from the 1950’s. “La Blanche” (Cheval Blanc) is “a finely-bubbled beer made from wheat and barley. Like the traditional Belgian ‘White’, it is refreshing, light, and slightly fruity.” Its body is a very light, topped with a tightly bubbled, cloudy white head. Citrus aromas dominate, at first, with spices (coriander, ginger, and cinnamon) breaking through, as sipping begins, the palate confirms the nose’s assumptions, with orange and lemon rind balancing the tartness of granny smith apple flavour with sweet spiciness, to complete, total refreshment. At 5% alc. & available in 12 oz & 660 ml bottles, it is available at most dépanneurs and major supermarkets. Very summery, easy drinking “nutter” beer; after one, you tend to want a “nutter” (Mirella Amato). Would be appreciated with fish, seafood in cream sauce, salads, and pastas.

Savour and enjoy life,

The Bugler (beer ambassador)